A pair of distraught people console one another as members of the Troy Police Department launch their investigation into Matthew Campbell's death. Campbell's body was found in the Wynantskill Creek behind the Cumberland Farms store located at 505 Campbell Avenue Wednesday afternoon. (J.S. Carras/The Record)

TROY -- The body of 42-year-old Matthew Campbell was found in the Wynantskill Creek Wednesday afternoon.

Troy police and firefighters were busy behind the Cumberland Farms at 505 Campbell Ave. engaged in what they termed was a recovery operation.

The cause of death is uncertain, but foul play does not appear to be a factor, said Capt. John Cooney. Campbell lived at 117 Jefferson St.

"Around 1:30 p.m. someone found a body face down in the creek," said Capt. Dan DeWolf at the scene. "The investigation is in its beginning stages at this point."

Moments later, as crowds formed at the busy convenience store, a forensic unit began efforts to secure the scene and prepare for the recovery of Campbell's body.

Police said there were no other items around the body such as a fishing pole or a cooler.

DeWolf said that fire rescue units would have to approach the area from the steep bank of the creek opposite Campbell Avenue.

"The Fire Department is going to have to repel down the other side of the creek in order to recover the body," DeWolf said, describing a difficult operation that would involve several members. "It's going to be an all-out effort by the Fire Department and the Police Department to respectfully recover the body."